Just A Thought To Think About – JOY AND
DANCING.
I have been thinking about the impact of the
words in Romans 12:15 – “REJOICE with those who are rejoicing; WEEP with those
who are weeping.” Some things are more easily read and spoken than they are
heeding and applying.
When I think about our Great Grandson and his
death at age 8 due to Leukemia, I have difficulty doing so without tears. When
I think about one who was such a joy-filled encouragement to me when I was
designated with Stage 4 Lymphoma (and as I contemplated death within 6 months
more or less), and now. after more than 5 years have passed since his remission,
his cancer has returned. He gallantly continues on in his ministry depending on
God’s strength being made perfect in his weakness – but – as I write about him
and pray for him, I do so with tears for this faithful servant. There are those
for whom we pray (and will pray) that are dealing with an unexpected and unwanted
malady.
As I read Scripture this morning, these words
stood out to me from Psalm 30:4-5, “Sing
to the Lord…and give thanks to His holy name…His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping
may last for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Oxymoronic?
No! How can this possibly occur when grief and sorrow are so real? How can one’s
weeping result in joy, gladness and a smile on one’s face? Psalm 30:11 includes
that which the Lord will do for His people, “You have turned for me my mourning into
dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,” Verses
11-12 (MSG), “Lord - You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You
ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. I’m about to
burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about you. God, my
God, I can’t thank you enough.”
When Oswald J. Smith wrote a Hymn, Deeper and
Deeper, he wrote about entering into the Joy of Jesus that included: “Joy in the place of sorrow, Peace in the midst of pain, Jesus will give, Jesus will give; He will uphold and sustain.”
Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.
1 comment:
Yes,when we lost our first son born Christmas Morning due probably to a junior doctor opting against nurses advice to use forceps (died 2 days later)when consultants were off Celebrating, it was tough. Hadn't the Lord said two weeks before, 'The first born will be mine.'We hadn't expected 'in heaven'. Then our next son had a dozen blue turns and heart medicine for two years - we were able to cling on to the promise ' he is not expected in heaven yet!' Now we see the glory in a son(40+) who is active in his local Elim Church on the music wifi side and rising up in experience at Vodafone. The Lord knows the way, just trust in Him at all time,believe in a glorious future and do not be discouraged by Christian friends who do not see healing in quite the same way as you do.
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